Process: A process for production of electrolytic copper powder for Carbon brush, Welding electrodes, Bearings etc.

Uses: Used in the manufacture of bearing, bushes, electric contacts, electronic components and high conducting sintered parts. Besides it finds its application in production of printing inks, as a constituent for welding electrode, dispersion strengthened alloys and infiltrants.

Salient Features: Copper powder is made using pure copper metal as anode and stainless steel as cathode in the electrolyte consisting of copper sulphate solution and sulphuric acid together with additive. The process does not require
any mechanical scrapper to remove the powder from the cathode and uses a cheaper reducing agent for annealing the powder.

It permits the use of copper scrap also for production of copper powder. The process is simple, easy to operate, economical and capable of propducing powder in any quantities large or small of P /M grade.

Environmental Considerations: Treatment of effluent is necessary before the Disposal

Scale of Development: 5 Kg/day

Commercialisation Status: The process has been licensed to three parties

Major Raw Materials: (a) Copper metal of electrolytic grade /Copper scrap,
(b) sulphuric acid (Commercial grade)

Major Plant Equipment/Machinery

(a) Electrolytic tank,
(b) Filter/Centrifuage,
(c) Dryer,
(d) Ball Mill,
(e) Pusher type muffle furnace and
(f) Sieve shaker

Techno-Economics: For 90 Tons/ annum production Project Cost: Rs. 50.0 lakhs

Working capital required: 50 Lakhs Net Profit: Rs. 16.00 Lakhs ROI : 32%

Technology Package Include

(i) Process know-how
(ii) Details of equipment
(iii) Plant lay-out
(iv) Quality assurance methods. Assistance in setting up the plant on separate terms and conditions.

Released Through: NML

Contact:
Director
National Metallurgical Laboratory
Jamshedpur - 831007, India